We are blessed to present to you a new soulful musical album, from the
Celestial Church Of Christ, Indianapolis Parish. This spirit filled musical
album titled "IRE NI MONI" (Only You I Have) promises to bring to your
hearing, several renditions of heart filling Christian melodies. Laden with soul
cleansing messages, the tracks you are about to listen to are conveyed in
several melodious varieties. These range from Highlife, to contemporary Jazz,
Reggae, Waltz and Calypso. Regardless of your musical preferences, this is a
'must-listen' for your musical and spiritual pleasure.

Put together by the CCC Indianapolis Choir, the album features H/E Deji
Kayode Nunayon the writer, composer, and lead performer. Kayode has over 10
years of Choir Master experience, starting from the well-established CCC Oke-Ado
Ibadan Parish, which was founded by his father S/E Jacob Nunayon. The choir
boasts of several internationally renowned performers, including Femi Ojetunde
at the keyboard and bass, Seyi Atunnise at the trumpet, Abbey Jibona at the
keyboard Abraham Ogunlade at the saxophone and Lanre Olowo at the Solo Guitar.
Like Kayode, they all are very well accomplished. This album is a culmination of
their performances, which have taken them to several Parishes of the CCC
worldwide

The album, available in both CD and Cassette tape will be launched on
Saturday the 12th of May 2001 at the CCC Indianapolis Parish premises located
at: 909 West 28th Street Indianapolis IN, 46208

Launching will commence at 12:00 noon.

COME ONE…COME ALL!! … And be sure to get your copy. These can be ordered
by phone, mail, or electronic mail at:

But thanks to superhero couple Kehinde and Ninilole Akano, there are at least
two fewer robbers to prey on Philadelphians.

For their work helping cops nab two alleged armed jewelry story robbers
Monday, the crimefighting duo will receive his and hers Seiko watches as well as
a good citizenship plaque from the Philadelphia Jewelers' Row Association. The
informal ceremony will be at 1 p.m. tomorrow at Safian and Rudolph Jewelers at
the corner of 7th and Sansom streets.

Association president Hy Goldberg said the 148-year-old organization felt the
couple's effort "should be recognized."

The husband and wife should be appreciated for "thinking fast and good
deeds."

They are being rewarded, Goldberg said, because they assisted the community
and not just because jewelry store owner George Cherassky was the target of the
heist.

"We feel that whenever somebody steps forward to help another individual
or the community in general, we would like to recognize them," said
Goldberg.

The Akanos took the chance in what could have been a dangerous situation,
they say, because it was the right thing to do.

Kehinde Akanos was driving his cab Monday afternoon near 6th and Markets
streets when the suspects, who just moments before had stolen a Rolex watch from
George's Golden Scale jewelry store - jumped in his cab in an attempt to flee.

The savvy cabbie, who emigrated from Nigeria in 1991, called Ninilole on his
cell phone and told her in their native Yoruban to get the police on their
three-way phone.

The alleged robbers were apprehended by cops in Kehinde's vehicle at 29th
Street and Pennsylvania Avenue.

The pair allegedly entered the jewelry store on 8th Street near Chestnut
where they robbed Cherassky.

They were charged with robbery, multiple counts of aggravated assault and
related crimes.

Police recovered a gun and the stolen Rolex watch, which was valued at
$1,800.

"I just think that it's something that had to be done," said
Ninilole Akano, 27, a British citizen of Nigerian descent. "These people
are very dangerous and think they can get away with anything."

The two believe their actions may inspire others.

"We encourage people to emulate what I have done," said Kehinde
Akano, 35. "When you see crime, you should support the police
officer."

Still, some friends of Kehinde Akano expressed concern to him that his
heroism had been widely publicized.

"I told them what Julius Cesar said, 'Cowards die many times before they
are dead,'" Kehinde Akano said. "People like Martin Luther King can
lose their life, so if I lose my life trying to protect the victim, so be
it."

With a heavy heart but with gratitude to God for a life well spent in the
service of Christ, I announce to you the passing away of Lace Superior Elder
Sister Shebioba, wife of the Shepherd in Charge of Elephant and Castle Parish,
London. The sad event occurred on Sunday 15th October 2000 at 5.00pm, after a
brief illness. She is survived by her husband, children and grandchildren.
Indications are that a Christian wake keeping would be held on 26th October,2000
and burial the following day. Formal announcements would be made soon.

A suit challenging the leadership of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC)
resumed at the weekend barely a week after the burial of Pastor Abiodun Bada.

At the resumed hearing, the epileptic power outage which forced most judges
to hurriedly adjourn their cases, also prompted Justice Ayotunde Philips to
entertain the matter in her chambers instead of an open court.

The suit filed by a senior pastor of the church, Benjamin Dansu Hunkanrin, on
August 21, had sought the court's intervention to declare the leadership of
Pastor Bada as a flagrant violation of the church constitution.

Hunkanrin claimed that he had received a divine instruction from the church
founder, the late Pastor S.B.J. Oschoffa, to assume the leadership to save it
from total disintegration.

But, two weeks after the death of Bada, the court, struck out his (Bada's)
name from defendants' list as he could not be tried posthumously.

Consequent upon this, Pastor Josiah Kayode Owodunni became the first
defendant and the registered Trustees of Celestial Church of Christ joined in
the suit as co-defendants.

In the suit, Hunkanrin is asking the court to restrain Owodunni from parading
himself as the church spiritual head since he had ceased to be a member of the
fold following his secession in 1985.

Supreme Court had in June voided the leadership of Pastor Bada in a suit
filed by Owodunni, thereby paving way for a strong contention of the church
leadership among pastors.

But Owodunni, in the suit pending at an Ikeja High Court, had filed a counter
affidavit claiming that Hunkanrin had no locus standi to institute the action,
much more bringing the application as it was not within Hunkanrin's functions
and powers to challenge the church and its leadership in court.

Besides, Owodunni stated that Hunkanrin was not only out to secure an
injunction described as a panic reaction to the massive support he had received
from members, but also to embarrass him, thereby preventing church members form
knowing the truth and facts relating to succession to the post of pastor.

In the 17-paragraph counter-affidavit, Owodunni said he had never, at any
time publicly or privately in anyway announced secession from the church.

Specifically, the pastor stated that he, on the contrary, successfully
challenged the late Bada's leadership and Registered Trustees of CCC who
allegedly flouted a divine pronouncement of the late Oschoffa and the church
constitution.

He denied any knowledge of the time Hunkanrin was baptised as a church member
and his (Hunkanrin's) claim of shepherding any parish as claimed.

Owodunni also picked hole in Hunkanrin's affidavit in support dated August
21, describing it as completely false as it was not in conformity with the
church constitution.

According to him, he never founded any known church called "The
Oshoffists as claimed by Hunkanrin, saying "it is real falsehood and indeed
baseless that he offered money to convert followers."

Backing his claim, Owodunni said by virtue of an interview recorded by Ogun
State Television which was viewed during the trial in Suit No. LD/1675/87
between J.K. Owodunni and The Registered Trustees of CCC, the late Oschoffa
specifically excluded Bada from being the church pastor.

He, however, debunked the allegation made by Hunkanrin that he was fetish in
his religious practices, describing it as spurious.

"It is certainly ethical and approved by CCC to mark Holy Mary's Day as
S.99(8) provides that in consequence, the pastor declared first Friday of July
every year as Holy Mary's Day to be observed by full congregational service
throughout the CCC all over the world. The first observance of Holy Mary's Day
took place on Friday July 7, 1978."

He described Hunkanrin's allegations as spurious and unfounded, urging the
court to discountenance it.

Justice Philips therefore adjourned the matter to October 31 for definite
arguments.

LEADERS of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) have endorsed Gilbert Jesse,
a senior evangelist, as the acting head of the sect.

Jesse was also said to have been elevated to superior evangelist, dousing
speculations that Superior Evangelist Philips Ajose, the Head of the Overseas
Dioceses had been offered the headship of the church.

Though details of the meeting held at the Ketu International Headquarters of
the Church were still kept under wraps yesterday, sources said Ajose would
retain his position as head of the overseas branch.

Members of the Board of Trustees have deliberately evaded the press in a bid
not to make statements regarding the leadership and the likely successor the
late primate, Rev. Abiodun Bada.

The Comet gathered that the Monday meeting approved the promotion of Jesse to
the position of superior evangelist preparatory to his appointment as the head
of the church worldwide.

Ajose, earlier tipped for the pastorship, still remain the head of the
Overseas Dioceses of the church, putting to rest speculations that he had
declined the offer by the trustees to lead the church.

However, when the reporter cornered Senior Evangelist Samson Banjo and Jesse
at the Tejuosho home of the latter yesterday, they declined to make any comments
in respect of the issue.

As soon as the new acting head of CCC recognised this reporter, he retorted:
"Oh, you people (press men) are here again! I won't tell you anything now,
when we are ready, we will call you."

Sources close to the sect's Board of Trustees said their refusal to comment
on the development might be informed by the fact that it had not been officially
announced and there might still be need for ratifications from some quarters of
the church before it would be made public.

But at the Ijeshatedo Parish Headquarters of the late Bada's arch rival,
Senior Evangelist Josiah Owodunni, he was said to be away, therefore his
comments could not be taken on his next line of action since the leadership he
craves for seems to have eluded him for the second time.

AMIDST wailing and eulogies, the remains of the former leader of Celestial
Church of Christ (CCC) Rev. Alexander Abiodun Bada was yesterday committed to
mother earth at the Celestial City in Imeko, Ogun State even as acting leader
Superior Evangelist Philip Ajose narrated the pathetic story of how he became
blind.

The chocolate-coloured wooden casket which bore the remains of Bada was
lowered into the all expansive, all-white tomb at 2.35pm after a funeral service
at his private house in Imeko, the International headquarters of the Church.

As the Casket was being lowered, thousands of faithfuls who thronged the
burial site wailed. Bada's close confidants could not hold back their tears.
According to the church, the late cleric left behind an aged mother of about 100
years old, wives and children.

Apostle Adebayo Abiola, chairman of the Lagos State Chapter of the Christian
Association of Nigeria (CAN) who preached the sermon during the funeral service,
described Bada as a man of peace who strived to give the Church all he possessed
in life.

According to the cleric, the best way the church and the nation could
remember him is for the church to forge a unity among its members while Nigeria
should learn from his honesty and consistency on issues he believed on.

"Anywhere there is a great leader, there is bound to be rancour. But for
our Papa Bada, he accomplished his life calling as demonstrated by the expansion
the church witnessed in the 15 years of his leadership," Abiola said.

Also in a sermon at the wake-keeping Thursday night, the new General
Superintendent of the church Superior Senior Envangelist Phillip Ajose advised
the followers to be steadfast and remain one in Christ so that they can tackle
evangelism aggressively.

Ajose stated that the choice of Bada as the head of the Church could not be
faulted by any human being as it was in line with Biblical provisions.

Contrary to earlier claims, Bada was neither buried in his private residence
or near the late founder Prophet S.B.J Oshoffa's tomb. Rather, he was buried at
the International Conference Secretariat in the town, close to where the late
Superior Senior Envangelist Samuel Ajanlekoko and his wife were laid.

His buried site, covers an area estimated at about an acre in which the all
white glass mausoleum was built.

Before the final burial yesterday, Bada's remains, after leaving Lagos, was
taken to his family house in IIogbo and his private house in Adigbe all in
Abeokuta where there was a brief lying-in-state.

The funeral procession which was anchored by M.I.C undertakers led by Mr.
Tunji Okunsanya, had a hectic time warding people off from hijacking it.

During the wake-keeping in Imeko, the casket was opened to the thousands who
filed past to catch a glimpse of their leader who was robed in an all-white gown
with a white Bible in his left hand and his staff of office in his right hand.

Members of the church from America, Europe, Ghana, Gabon, Cameroun, Cote
d'Ivoire and Benin Republic attended the ceremony.

But the event was not without tales of woe as Ajose narrated the event
leading to his blindness.

Delivering a sermon at the wake-keeping service in Imeko, Rev. Ajose who is
the General Overseer of the Overseas Diocese said that the late Rev. Bada
alerted him that the leader of the sect in Port Novo, Senior Evangelist Agbaosi
was going to France and as the head of the overseas churches was be briefed by
Agbaosi about his mission. "Since they are in my territory I went to meet
him and Agbaosi explained his mission to me. We had a good service together in
France and I went back to London."

He continued: "As I arrived London, I met a ticket for a flight to Italy
dropped for me by Rev Bada that I should meet him there immediately I arrived
for an urgent meeting. The second day I packed my passport again and set out for
the journey. At Heathrow Airport, an immigration lady asked for my passport. I
gave it to her and passed through all the procedures. As she was about returning
the passport, there was a slight breeze and I just discovered that I could not
see again," he said.

The first thing that came to his mind, he said, was to return home but he
later resolved to meet Bada in Italy.

Said Ajose: "I continued the journey but the same lady realised that
something had happened to me. She asked if there was any problem. I said no. But
she still came around to lead me in the plane.

"It was when I came down from Italy that I knew that I had become a
blind man. I heard my pastor's voice but as I was about to embrace him, I
couldn't do that because I missed him. I told Pastor Bada. He felt sorry and
wept for me.

"But I have received over 500,000 messages with some of them pointing to
the fact that it is temporary. That I'm still going to see. That I should
continue the work of God and that it is during the ministration that I will
regain my sight. But I need your prayers. Always pray for me," Rev. Ajose
said.

As Rev. Ajose was narrating his ordeal, some members who could not control
their emotions, wept. But he remained undaunted.

He used his sermon which lasted for 50 minutes to prove his knowledge of the
Bile as he quoted copiously from the Bible throughout the message.

Ajose is yet to accept all entreaties to make him accept the leadership of
the Church but a trustee, Senior Evangelist Adefeso, while addressing the
members said that "nature abhors vacuum and there is no leadership vacuum
in the Celestial Church."

JOY pervaded the atmosphere yesterday at Celestial City, Imeko, in Ogun State
where Governor Olusegun Osoba, representing President Olusegun Obasanjo, joined
members of Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) worldwide to inter the body of
Pastor Alexander Abiodun Alexander Bada who died on September 8th at Greenwich
Hospital, London.

After five hours of prayer, singing and funeral orations, Rev. Bada was
lowered into his grave at a site called Jericho at 3p.m.

Thousands of CCC faithfuls who were expecting to see signs and wonders in the
wake of the burial went home not disappointed.

Eyes popped with amazement as members of the church drew one another's
attention to seven white smoky stripes that appeared in the sky.

As they were trying to contain their enthusiasm, passions were suddenly
inflamed by a mysterious glow that shed a spot of golden yellow light on the
white garments of the faithfuls.

In the distance, where a new cathedral was being built, a ball of golden
smoke shot into the sky towards a beam of light that shone just as the clouds
were parting.

"These are signs that our father has been accepted," explained a
leader of the church, Most Superior Evangelist M. Are. "It shows that he is
a man of God, and an holy man."

In the sermon read by Special Apostle J.I. Arigbe, Rev. Bada was described as
a man who had a pact with God.

According to him, the late leader brought new innovations into the church,
which sparked off bold criticisms from some quarters.

"Apart from the liturgy," he said, "he also set up a
controversial administrative organ. But he was not bothered by these
distractions because he knew he would one day join his Creator whom he had
diligently served."

The apostle added that though the Supreme Court may have rejected the
leadership of Bada, "God did not reject it, and you 'celestials' did not
forsake him".

Noting that people must criticise every great man, he said: "Papa
Oshoffa himself was criticised and rejected by cynics who said he didn't wear
shoes, and even accused him of likening himself to God with the claims that if
people touched his garments they would be healed.

Governor Osoba, who arrived with members of his cabinet, left quietly without
making a speech.

His convoy had to meander its way out of Meko Road that was heavily congested
with human and automobile traffic, which tailed back several metres from the
Merryland where CCC founder, the late Rev. Samuel Bilewu Oshoffa, was buried.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade, sent representatives with his staff of
office and a goodwill message.

"When I heard of Rev. Bada's death, I was sad, although I shouldn't
because whoever comes must go," the Ooni said in his message read by Chief
Osanire of Ife.

The chairman of Lagos State branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria
(CAN) Senior Apostle Abiola, said in a funeral oration: "Rev. Bada was Baba
Oshoffa's child." He added that he was Oshoffa's successor and had gone to
meet him.

He pointed out that those who appeared to be happy about his death should
realise that they would not get out of this world alive: "It was only Enoch
that rose to heaven and did not physically die." ------------------------

MEMBERS of the Celestial Church are free to bury their pastor, Alexander
Abiodun Bada, next to founder S.B.J. Oshoffa in Imeko, Ogun State, a Lagos High
Court ruled yesterday.

The High Court, Ikeja dismissed the ex-parte application of Rev. Edward
Olayinola Oladokun seeking to prevent the burial in Imeko, the Celestial city.

Mr. Justice James Oduneye said the application to restrain the church's
burial committee from going ahead with its plan to bury Bada's body next to
Oshoffa's tomb was wrong on the grounds that it was not contained in the writ of
summons filed before the court by Oladokun.

Besides, the parties involved in the suit were not put on notice via a
motion, the judge held.

Oladokun's lawyer, Mr. Tunde Akinshola, was not in court during the almost
30-minute proceedings, making Oladokun to move his motion ex- parte.

Ahead of preparations for the arrival of Bada's body on Wednesday, Rev.
Oladokun, a strong contender for the leadership position of CCC, had sought the
court's intervention in the burial arrangements.

Rev. Oladokun said that Bada should not be intered at Imeko, the church's
holy ground, because it would erode Oshoffa's good intention. He said the late
founder had planned for the burial ground to be a pilgrimage centre.

According to him, the church will suffer an irreparable loss if they were not
restrained.

Despite the lawsuit, the burial arrangement had gone on at Imeko with members
of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) putting finishing touches to Bada's
final resting place.

The 18ft square (5.4 x 5.4 metres) vault where Bada will be buried later
today was taking shape beside the tomb of a former church leader, Rev.
Ajanlekoko and his wife, at the back of a massive conference hall on a site
called Jericho.

It is situated 500 metres away from the vault of Oshoffa and a few meters
from another structure being built for the lying-in-state.

The CCC members said that they saw a strange sign in the sky early yesterday
as the sun was rising.

"We saw a sign this morning," said Senior Evangelist Moses Ibipeju
Omoakin of the CCC Jordan Parish, Imeko. "We saw a rainbow across the sky.
It's a sign that our father was truly a man of God."

Noting that everything about the late leader had been wonderous, Omoakin
pointed out: "He died on the same date and at the same month as Rev.
Oshoffa."

The Kaduna State Central Choir in charge of the lying-in-state arrived
yesterday, led by Snr. Evangelist Innocent Okon, the National Task Force officer
of the Celestial Church.

Elders at the church said that any leader would be buried at
"Jericho" and that Bada's successor would be buried beside him
whenever he passed on.

Outside the Celestial City, townsfolk said they were ready to accommodate
guests who may not have a place to stay.

Youths in the town also met early yesterday to deliberate on their role
today. Traders had replenished their stocks in expectation of high patronage.

Security was strengthened outside the Celestial City with policemen attached
to the state security outfit, Operation Wedge mounting guard.

Lagos State Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu was at Wednesday's service of songs
and wake keeping for Bada at the Stadium, represented by his Health
Commissioner, Dr. Leke Pitan, who sat on the same row with the head of the
Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Baba Aladura Godfrey
Otubu, who delivered the sermon, and Dr. C.H. Onabanjo, President of the
Spiritual Churches Organisation of Nigeria.

Others at the event were Superior Evangelist Phillip Ajose, head of the
Overseas Diocese of the CCC tipped to succeed Bada; Most Senior Evangelist
Gilbert Jesse, head of the Nigerian Mission; Most Senior Evangelist Adosu Leyon,
Senior Evangelists O.A. Adefeso, O.O. Ogunlesi and S.O. Banjo, members of the
board of trustees of the church.

However, most members of the church and indeed guests who came to pay their
last respects to the departed leader were disappointed as the body never left
the vehicle in which it was brought due to disagreements between the youths and
elders of the church.

The opening prayer at the service was offered by Most Senior Evangelist
Jesse. The two lessons, the first from Ecclesiastes 3, verses 1 to 10 and the
second, from 1 Thessalonian 4:13-18, were read by Rev. George Amu of the Good
News Ministries and Snr. Evangelist Adefeso.

In his sermon, Otubu sued for peace among members of the Celestial Church,
noting that the late Bada worked tirelessly to keep CCC united until his death
last month.

He urged the church members to keep the late Pastor's dream alive as nothing
would please him more in his grave than to see the sect united.

Said he: "You have gathered here tonight to honour him (Bada) and show
the love you have for him. But I know nothing would please my friend more than
to see you keeping the church united."

Drawing his text from Daniel Chapter 12 which he quoted copiously, he said:
"There shall be a time of trouble such as never was, but at the appointed
time of the Lord, your people shall be delivered." He told the members that
behind every dark cloud there is always a silver lining.

Speaking on his relationship with Bada, Otubu said they were very close
friends and were seen together in Kenya in 1997 when he (Otubu) was elected
chairman of the Organisation of Independent Churches in Africa (OIAC), and the
late Bada was elected the deputy. -------------------------

The hearse, a white Chevrolet Coprice ambulance, adorned with banners and
balloons, with a giant photograph of Bada placed on the roof, was more like the
convoy of the arriving head of state of an important country.

IT was a tumultuous reception at both the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Ikeja,
Lagos, yesterday, and the National Stadium, Surulere, when the body of Rev.
Abiodun Bada, the late spiritual leader of the Celestial Church of Christ, (CCC)
worldwide arrived the country.

Prior to the return of the body 'Cele' (as fondly called) faithfuls in their
thousands had began to converge in groups at the the airport. The crowd had
congregated as early as 12 noon, awaiting the body which eventually arrived at
about 5.20 p.m.

The ceremony, for the colour and solemnity was more than a mourning for the
dead. It was also the triumphant return of a loved leader.

In addition to the grieving and sorrow normally associated with the passing
away of beloved ones, Bada's had a touch of pomp and orchestrated adulation for
the life that was well spent.

Death, the harbinger of sorrow and tears, brought for Bada, glory, and honour.

The Cele were at their best yesterday, as all of them turned out resplendent
in their trade mark white robes and long gowns of different types of fabric
though bare-footed, the members were obvious at the stones and other sharp
objects as they clapped, danced and sang with unrestrained frenzy.

Adding colour to the reception at both the airport and also the National
Stadium, Surulere, were the impecably dressed pall bearers from MMC Undertakers.

The hearse, a white Chevrolet Caprice ambulance, adorned with banners, and
balloons with a giant half-size portrait of Bada placed on its roof was like the
convoy of the arriving head of state of an important country.

The church members, parish by parish, held placards with inscriptions such as
"Bada is not dead, but alive with his Saviour." "Man of God,
Adieu", "The elect of Jehovah and Jesus Christ," and so on.

According to a member, Senior Evangelist Tokunboh, the crowd along Western
Avenue, Surulere was split into groups so that there wouldn't be any hindrance
to the free flow of traffic." He also said it was to ensure that each
parish was able to honour the late pastor distictively.

At the tail end of the Ojuelegba Road, opposite Barracks Bus-Stop, a long
traffic queue was decorated, and mounted by group of parishes. They were a
delight to behold, as their singing, beating of drums and display of instruments
became a soothing balm to any wearied soul.

The reception at the stadium was not by the 'Cele' faithfuls alone, as other
members of the public turned out too in thousands.

However, it was not all singing and dancing, there were eyes reddened by
tears, and voices gone hoarse with crying and sobbing as the casket was brought
to the arena. Most deeply affected were the more elderly, among the faithfuls,
especially the women.

An elderly member said what really troubled him as an individual was not the
depature of the late leader, but rather, the crisis he left unresolved. Said he:
"How can a good man and compassionate leader and father like Pastor Bada be
so hated by a clique to the extent of being happy about his death? This is
terrible," he concluded.

A member of the group who came from Epe church said about the late Bada:
"Bada was as much as a father as a leader. When he was alive, he was always
ready to listen to every sorrowful member and proffer solutions to their
problems. He may not have wrought miracles, like Oshoffa, but certainly, he
served God and humanity like any other great man of God.

But even as preparations were going on to lay the remains of the late church
leader to rest, it seems the controversy that trailed his leadership of CCC
would follow him to the grave.

A member of the church, Edward Oladokun has asked an Ikeja High Court to
restrain the trustees of the church from burying Bada near the burial ground of
the late founder of CCC, Rev. S.B.J. Oshoffa. He has averred that where Oshoffa
was buried is a holy ground, on which Bada should not be laid to rest.

ACTIVITIES that will culminate in the final interment of the late leader of
Celestial Church of Christ (CCC), Pastor Alexander Abiodun Bada began yesterday
with the Church faithful paying their last homage to him inspite of the heavy
down pour.

The ceremony which was more of a carnival began at the Makoko Parish where as
early as 8 am members had gathered for the lying-in-state.

His remains was taken to the church's international headquarters and then to
his house for another but brief lying-in-state.

It was directed by Supreme Evangelist Philips Ajose and Senior Evangelist
Gilebert Jesse.

Bada's body arrived Ketu in Lagos at 1 pm where the filing pass was delayed
for five minutes due to the surging and uncontrollable crowd attempting to have
a final glimpse of a leader they have rooted since the demise of the founder Pa
S.B. Joseph Oschoffa.

The funeral train departed for the new international secretariat at KM 35 on
Lagos-Ibadan Expressway where the body was again laid-in- state.

Some officials of Ogun State University led by its Registrar, Mr. Samuel
Ajayi paid their homage to Rev. Bada who was until his death a member of the
Governine Board of the institution.

The ceremony at the new secretariat was described as symbolic by the members
because the project was initiated and backed by the late leader.

At the M.K.O. Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta, a service was organised for the late
cleric. Among the mammoth crowd comprising millions of celestial faithfuls were
the pupils of Oschoffa Memorial Nursery and Primary School who were not left out
as some took vantage positions around the casket.

As soon as Supreme Evangelist Ajose led the convoy of cars that Bada's
remains, the atmosphere became charged and electrified as soon as the crowd
sighted the body which arrived the stadium at 5.10 pm.

It was brought by a white Cardillac limousine owned by the Lagos State
undertaker in a chocolate colour wooden casket with a white interior.

He was dressed in an immaculate white gown with a white religious cap to
match. A white Bible was placed in his left hand, while his staff of office was
on his right hand while his dark moustache was well trimmed.

Even the rains could not deter the faithfuls from honouring Bada as they
turned out en mass.

The burial prossession was led by Supreme Evangelist Adefeso, Banjo said
Ogunlesi, others in the train were Evangelist Ajose and Gilebert Jesse.

IT was carnival-like yesterday at the Yakubu Street, Ketu, outskirts of Lagos
home of the late Pastor Abiodun Bada as senior members of the Celestial Church
of Christ (CCC) received Superior Evangelist Phillip Ajose, tipped to succeed
the late Pastor of the sect.

Ajose, who reportedly arrived in the country on Monday, ahead of Bada's body,
expected to come in today, was ushered into Bada's compound at 11.40 a.m. by
Most Senior Evangelist Gilbert Jesse and Senior Evangelist Samson Banjo.

He rode in a Mercedez Banz jeep, cheerful. Shortly after commiserating with
Bada's widow, some of her children and other members of the Celestial family,
Ajose took his seat under one of the canopies erected for the funeral, which
begins today.

An imposing four-foot portrait of the late Pastor stood at the corner of a
special space in front of Bada's home.

Wind of Ajose's arrival reached members of the church, who in droves came in
on what could literarily pass for a pilgrimage to welcome the exalted cleric
whom most of them were meeting for the first time.

Ajose, dressed in the church's traditional white cassock, donned a purple hat
and a purple girdle. He pumped hands and slapped backs at every introduction
made by Jesse.

Meanwhile, preparations for the arrival of Bada's body are in top gear at the
church and at Bada's home. -----------------

The death of Alexander Abiodun Bada, supreme head of Celestial Church of
Christ world-wide offers an opportunity for the Church to put its house in order

By Akinniyi Sowunmi

The death of Alexander Abiodun Bada, 71, the supreme head of the Celestial
Church of Christ, CCC, world-wide, whose leadership of the church was nullified
by the supreme court on June 30, has offered the church an opportunity to put
its house in order. Bada died at a London hospital on September 8 after serving
the church in various capacities for 49 years. He joined the CCC as a pioneer
member in 1951. A release from the CCC headquarters in Ketu, Lagos, signed by
P.H Ajose on behalf of the pastor-in-council, announced the demise of the
embattled church leader.

Newswatch learnt that Bada, who became head of the church in 1987, two years
after the death of Samuel Bilewu Oshoffa, pastor-founder of the church, had
kidney problems, ulcer and diabetes. Though Bada himself and the church have
been trying to shroud the late pastors' ill health, Bada has been going for
kidney and diabetes treatment abroad since 1997. At his birthday celebration
last year when he turned 70, Bada was said to be very ill and frail looking,
such that he had to sit throughout the festivities. He left Nigeria in July this
year for treatment in London. His corpse will be burried at Imeko, Ogun State
September 29 after funeral rites that include lying in state at the National
Stadium Surulere, on September 27 when it arrives Nigeria.

Bada was renowned for his patience and the peaceful ways he conducted the
affairs of the church. P. H. Ajose, Bada's deputy has been appointed by the
Church's trustees to succeed him, while Gilbert Jesse, a senior evangelist of
the church has been selected as Ajose's deputy. The trustees decision put to
rest Josiah Owodunni's bid to lead the Church.

Josiah Kayode Owodunmi, one of the trustees of the church had gone to court
in 1985 to challenge the appointment of Bada as successor to Oshoffa. Owodunmi
won the case at the high court, though the appeal court upheld Bada's
appointment. The supreme court in June this year, granted Owodunmi's prayer to
set aside Bada's appointment on grounds that it did not follow church's
constitution. Though the supreme court agreed with Owodunmi that Bada's
appointment did not follow section 111 of the church's constitution on the
selection of a successor to Oshoffa, it directed the church to amend the knotty
and controversial provisions in its constitution, particularly as regards
succession to the headship of the church. The court refused to proclaim Owodunmi
the new leader of the church.

CCC constitution stipulates that a successor to Oshoffa should be divinely
revealed through a vision and proclaimed by the founder before his demise. By
the time Oshoffa died in 1985, there was neither a vision nor proclamation on
the founders successor creating a 15-year legal controversy on the appointment
of Bada by the church's trustees.

The trustees were still fashioning a new constitution for the church last
week when Bada died. With his death, the church will not only have a
constitution that can be operated, the CCC has also been able to decide that
Owodunmi who had unilaterally declared himself the head of the church at a press
briefing on July 8, following the supreme court's judgment, and repeated same at
Bada's demise is not the church's leader.

A new constitution being fashioned out by the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC)
Worldwide may discard 'Pastor' as designation for the church's head, to undercut
the basis for a decade-long leadership tussle.

Indications have emerged that the designation, 'Head of the Church', may be
substituted for 'Pastor' in the new code book expected after the burial of the
immediate former head, Pastor Abiodun Bada, slated for September 29.

Most Senior Evangelist Gilbert Jesse broached the impending realignment to
The Comet on Saturday in Lagos. He said when it is adopted and ratified by the
Board of Trustees, the word 'Pastor' shall cease to be the title of the church's
new leader.

"You can call goat a Pastor. Anybody can be called a Pastor, that does
not shake us. In the Celestial Church, we have had two Pastors-(the late founder
and spiritual head, Bilewu) Oschoffa and Bada. Anybody who is going to head the
church now, according to the new constitution, can be called Head of Church. We
are not even after the name Pastor again. Let them (contenders for leadership)
call themselves pastor," he said.

Evangelist Jesse, the professed head of the Nigerian mission of CCC,
acknowledged having held telephone conversations with Superior Evangelist
Phillip Ajose, head of the church's overseas mission who is reportedly reluctant
to take up the leadership mantle after Bada. Jesse said he was persuading Ajose
to have a rethink.

He also acknowledged being pressurised by some persons to have a shot at the
post if Ajose declines it. But he said he could not claim what did not belong to
him.

"People who are pushing for my candidature are exercising their freedom
of speech. But as for me, I am not interested at all. I am contented with my
present position. Let my boss (Evangelist Ajose) take up the post. I am ready to
give him my support to make sure he succeeds, no matter his disability."

However, the option of constitutional review is not going unchallenged by a
prime leadership contender, Evangelist Josiah Kayode Owodunni, who declared the
move a nullity. He anchored his position on the fact that only the Pastor or
Pastor-in-Council, comprising the Board of Trustees is vested with the power to
conduct such an exercise.

"There can be no amendment to the documents," he said, citing
sections 143; 144; 151-154 of the current constitution which empowers only the
Pastor to convene the meeting of Trustees as well as make a final pronouncement
on any issue.

Another contender, Evangelist Agbebakun Okhuese of CCC Ikeja Parish I has
declared his right to the pastorate. According to him, his selection as the
successor to Pastor Oschoffa was relayed to him in 1987 through some members of
the church who claimed to have been sent by the Holy Spirit.

To back up this claim, a statement signed by the Church Chairman, Snr. Evang.
S. Aigbokhai, Patron Hon. Snr. Evang. J.E. Ohiomah and Church Secretary Superior
J. Ebikhumi, all of Afuze Parish, Afuze in Benin, Edo State, affirmed that
Prophet Okhuese was chosen during the "Seek God Messages" on Power
Day, September 8, 1985 at Mercy Land, Afuze.

The statement reads: "As it was being said by the late Pastor Founder,
Rev. S.B.J. Oschoffa that (the) Holy Spirit will choose his successor, and in
confirmation with (sic) the prophecy of our prophets and prophetesses of this
27-year-old church, we believe the message strongly that Prophet Okhuese is the
chosen CCC Pastor worldwide."

There is another contender, Rev. Edward Olayiwola Oladokun, who has
criticised the appointment of Superior P.H. Ajose and Senior Evangelist Gilbert
Jesse as the Supreme Evangelist and Deputy Supreme Evangelist respectively.
While declaring himself Pastor of the church, he argued that nobody could
succeed Bada because "Section 178 of the constitution made the post of the
Supreme Evangelist personal to him in his lifetime, it does not provide for a
successor after his death. "The post of the Supreme Evangelist is not
synonymous with the post of the Pastor, who is the ultimate spiritual head of
the church."

He recounted his Thursday, August 7 meeting with some members of the
"Women Council, CCC Worldwide" at his residence in Ikorodu where he
asserted three times that, if indeed he (Oladokun) was the "divine chosen
successor" to Pastor Oschoffa, that the Supreme Evangelist A.A. Bada would
die if he refused to publicly renounce his alleged membership of a traditional
fraternity. "By divine coincidence, the Supreme Evangelist Bada died in
London early Friday morning of 8-9-2000! Indisputedly (sic), I am the 'NEW
PASTOR', he said.

Oladokun also debunked claims that Evangelist Ajose is the next in rank to
the late Supreme Evangelist Bada. Rather, he argued, Superior Benois Agbaossi
was next to Bada, followed by the late Superior S.O. Ajanlekoko, before P.H.
Ajose. Following Ajose is Godwill Abiassi; Senior Evangelist Jacob Ediemou,
trailed by Evangelist Kayin of the Ghana diocese. He threatened to charge
Superior Evangelist Ajose and Senior Evangelist Jesse with fraud, conspiracy and
stealing along with the members of the Board of Trustees if they touched the
church's revenue; adding that his earlier expulsion of Honorary Evangelist J.K.
Owodunni from the church stood.

THE Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) announced yesterday details of the
burial of its late Pastor, Supreme Evangelist Alexander Bada.

Unfolding the week-long programme to reporters at the International
headquarters of the church in Ketu, Lagos, the Chairman of the Publicity
Committee on the burial, Senior Evangelist Sammy Shotunmi, said the ceremonies
will kick off at the United Kingdom national headquarters of the CCC in London,
with a commendation service on Monday between 5 and 7 pm.

Bada's body will lie in state at the Chapel of Rest, Brixton Road London,
from 10 a.m to 4p.m the next day while on Wednesday, it will be conveyed to
Nigeria aboad a British Airways flight billed to touch down at the Murtala
Muhammed International Airport at 5.25 p.m

It will leave the MMA in a motorcade for the National Stadium, Surulere at
6p.m for an all night inter-denominational service from where it will be taken
at 10 am the next morning for a farewell stop-over service at the national
headquarters of the church in Makoko , Lagos, where Bada once held sway as head
of the Nigerian mission.

From the Makoko cathedral, the body will leave for Bada's Ketu home from
where it will be taken in a procession to the Ketu international headquarters of
the church for a brief service before departure at 2.00 p.m to the new
international headquarters of the church at Kilometre 35 on the Lagos-Ibadan
Expressway for a whistle stop at a project he initiated a fear years back.

Not undermining the biological family of the late Pastor, Shotunmi said the
body would lie in state at the Adigbe country home of Bada in Abeokuta, Ogun
State, between 3 and 4p.m after which it will be taken to the International
Conference Centre, Celestial City, Imeko, Ogun State, for a Christian
wake-keeping and prayer vigil .

Bada's remains will be interred at the complex at 10 a.m on Friday and a
thanksgiving service on Sunday at the Makoko headquarters in Lagos.

Shotunmi said the chairman of the burial committee, Senior Evangelist M.I
Jolapamo, left the country a few days ago for the UK to ensure that there were
no hitches in the programme.

According to him, "the church has involved all the dioceses and parishes
worldwide from Europe, Canada, Asia and the Americas, exchanging ideas and
programmes to ensure proper articulation in the final programme."

He said visitor s will be coming from all parts of the world, both members
and non-members of the church, to pay their last respects to the departed
pastor.

However, he declined to comment on other issues involving the budget for the
burial, leadership of the church and the involvement of the Federal, Lagos and
Ogun State governments in the burial, pointing out that his committee was not
given the mandate to speak on such issues bearing in mind the controversy that
trailed the leadership in the past.

THE remains of the Head of the Celestial Church of Christ, Pastor
Alexander Abiodun Bada, will be flown home for burial on September 29.

Pastor Bada died at a London Hospital on Friday morning at the age of
71.

Church Elder, Most Senior Evangelist Gilbert Jesse, who spoke yesterday
after a meeting with about 50 elders of the Church, said that funeral
rites for the late Pastor had been fixed tentatively for September 27
through 29.

He said that a detailed statement will be issued next week after
finishing touches might have been put to the burial plans.

Jesse, who has been holding the forte for the late Bada at the Church’s
headquarters in Ketu, Lagos, praised the departed Pastor for the way he
maintained unity and love among the millions of Celestial faithful
across the world.

"His life was well spent, it was a beautiful life, he led the Church
according to the tenet laid down by the Pastor, founder, Rev. SBJ
Oschoffa. I am sure he has gone straight to the Lord", Jesse said.

He said that Bada had a premonition of his death and had been speaking
about his departure to the great beyond in the past week.

"Any true believer will know when it is time to answer God’s call. The
Pastor was aware that he was going, he said he had completed his job on
earth and wanted to rest," Jesse said.

A statement issued by the Church yesterday and signed by Superior
Evangelist P.H. Ajose formally announced Bada’s death.

It reads: "We announce, with the deepest regret but with gratitude to
God for his steadfast stewardship in the Lord’s vineyard for an
unbroken period of approximately 50 years of service to God and
humanity, the transition of our father —in — Christ and faithful
disciple of Christ".

Many of the Cele faithful wore mournful looks when our reporter visited
the Moshood Street home of the late Bada in Ketu yesterday. His wife
was in the house receiving sympathisers who came in droves to express
their condolences to the family.

Over 600 people, mostly leaders of various parishes of the Church, had
signed the condolence register at Bada’s residence.

Bada’s demise did not stop the 15th commemoration anniversary of the
death of the Church founder, Oschoffa.

Church elders were rallying to ensure that the Pastor’s death would not
deepen the crisis that has rocked the Church over the chosen successor
to Oschoffa.

Secretary to the Church’s Board of Trustees told state evangelists and
Shepherds of the Parishes to close ranks and eschew any acts that could
cause division in the Church during yesterday’s meeting.

Evangelist Jesse said that the rift between the Church and the
Celestial Church of Christ, Ijeshatedo Parish, led by Senior Evangelist
Josiah Owodunmi, had been settled. "Everything is okay, they have not
come yet to visit us but they will come", he said.

It was gathered that all parishes of the Church had been formally
informed of Bada’s demise.

Senior Evangelist Gilbert Jesse, head of the Nigerian Mission of the
Celestial Church of Christ (CCC), said yesterday that he had not been
appointed Acting Pastor of the church.

There had been speculations that he was named as acting head following
the death last week of Pastor Alexander Abiodun Bada.

Jesse said yesterday at his Tejuosho Parish Office at Surulere, Lagos,
that no such appointment was announced after the meeting of elders of
the church last Saturday.

"I have been acting on behalf of Bada since he went abroad, but the
church did not officially appoint me because I am third in hierarchy to
the office of the pastor," he said.

He stated that the most likely person to occupy the office of Pastor
was the next man in rank to the late Bada, Superior Evangelist Philip
Ajose, who is currently the Head of Overseas Dioceses based in London.

He also noted that a meeting of heads of parishes and elders worldwide
would be held from 12 p.m. today at the international headquarters of
the Church at Ketu, Lagos, where far-reaching decisions on the detailed
plans for Bada’s funeral and the appointment of a successor would be
made.

However, he said the late Bada, whom he described as a "perfect
leader", would be buried at the Celestial Village, Imeko, Ogun State,
where the Pastor/Founder Prophet S.B.J. Oschoffa and Senior Evangelist
Ajanlekoko were interred.

Speaking on the flaws in the church’s constitution, particularly the
clause on the strength of which the Supreme Court nullified the
leadership of Bada, the Senior Evangelist said the church had taken
measures to forestall a recurrence as the new constitution which would
be released would forbid any of the trustees from instituting legal
suits.

Although he disagreed with Evangelist Owodunni’s claim that he was
appointed successor by Oschoffa himself, he expressed the hope that
with the new development, all the aggrieved parties would be united.

On whether the death of Bada would pave the way for Owodunni to emerge
as pastor, Jesse said his chances were slim.

"He (Owodunni) was appointed honorary evangelist. He is not a church
worker like most of us. The fact that he built a church does not
quality him for the position of pastor," he said.

For one to become a pastor, he must first be a church worker from where
he will undergo a two-year training, after which he is expected to rise
through the ranks, he explained.

Jesse also spoke of the church’s plan to move its international
headquarters from Ketu which, according to him, has become too small
and congested for the status of an international headquarters.

He said Bada had already begun development work on the 25-acre plot
acquired by the church on the Lagos/Shagamu Expressway, adding that as
soon as the structures were erected, the church would relocate its
headquarters.
-----------------

THE Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) yesterday confirmed the
appointment of Superior Evangelist Phillip Ajose, head of the Overseas
Dioceses, as the successor to the late Pastor Alexander Abiodun Bada
who died last weekend in a London hospital.

Speaking to reporters immediately after a special meeting of the
church's leaders on the funeral of the late Pastor at the Ketu
International Headquarters of the CCC, Most Senior Evangelist Gilbert
Jesse said members of the Board of Trustees had unanimously agreed that
Ajose should succeed the late Pastor Bada.

He said: "When Bada was alive, he appointed Ajose as his
second-in-command. Therefore, he had made it clear that he had chosen
his successor and we (trustee members) have nothing against his
choice."

The decision confirms what has been speculated to be the contents of
the reviewed Constitution of the church, expected to be released soon.
It is said that henceforth, pastorship of the church "will be based on
the hierarchical order of the church".

Jesse was silent on the role of Owodunni, a hot contender for the seat
while Bada was alive, in the selection of the new pastor. But he said
that all the factions of the church would be brought together as one.
"Whether we like it or not, it will be done miraculously and God will
take the steps himself," Jesse added.

Earlier, a 20-man delegation of the Board of Trustees and senior
members of the Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim
Church, led by its Prelate, Baba Aladura Godfrey Otubu, had yesterday
visited the trustees to commiserate with them over the death of the
late Pastor Bada.

Receiving the delegation which arrived at the Ketu International
Headquarters of the church at 3.40.m., Senior Evangelist Jesse praised
Otubu and his entourage for their concern.

He noted that in his life time, the late Bada had established mutual
relationship between the C and S and the CCC. He prayed that the
relationship should not became cold with the death of the Pastor.

Replying, Otubu said Bada's death was not only a loss to the Celestial
Church but also to the Organisation of African Instituted Churches of
Nigeria of which the late Pastor was Vice Chairman.

The Baba Aladura said he suspended the celebration of the 75th
anniversary of the Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim
Church to pay his respect to the late Bada.

However, Otubu urged the church to do the greatest service to Bada by
ensuring that the church which he fought relentlessly to keep together
remained united.

The church,which was meeting on funeral plans of the late Bada,
presented the Baba Aladura with the programme of events.

According to the programme, the body of the late Bada will arrive in
Nigeria at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, on
September 27 at 9 a.m.

The body will then move to the international headquarters, Ketu where
it will lie in-state from noon till 2 p.m. At 4 p.m., the body will
lie- in-state at the main bowl of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos
Mainland where an inter-denominational service will be held for him.

Bada's remains will also be at the Makoko Headquarters of the church,
where he was Shepherd for many years. It will thereafter be taken to
his home town, Abeokuta, to briefly lie-in-state in his private house.

On September 28, a night vigil/wake keeping service will be held at
Abeokuta after which the body will be interred at the Celestial
Village, Imeko, Ogun State on September 29 at 10 a.m.
-----------------

Just 24 hours after it picked a new leader following the death of Pastor
Abiodun Bada, the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) is set for another search
for a Pastor.

Superior Evangelist Phillip Ajose, head of the Overseas Diocese who was picked
to succeed the late Pastor Bada, may have turned down the appointment.

Sources close to the leadership of the church yesterday said Ajose, who has
been in America for several years, declined the offer on the ground of
ill-health. His argument is that as a religious body with world-wide spread,
the church needs an energetic man, a quality, which he believes he lacks, to
lead the church and close ranks among splinter factions.

"Coming to Nigeria to lead the church at this point in time may not be
possible. But for my ill-health, I would have gladly taken up the challenge,
but I believe a more energetic person would be in a better position to do
that," he was quoted as saying.

The leadership of the church has swung into action to persuade Most Senior
Evangelist Gilbert Jesse, who had earlier indicated his lack of interest in
the post, to take it.

Jesse, a native of Ilaje in Ondo State, joined the Celestial flock before
Ajose but is subordinate to him in the church's hierarchyy. At his Olajuwon/Tejuosho, Surulere, Lagos mainland church yesterday, there were many
associates who came to express their support for his appointment. Although it
has not been officially confirmed, sources said the announcement of Most
Senior Evangelist Jesse was a matter of days.

Evangelist Jesse's earlier reluctance may not be unconnected with the
lingering leadership crisis rocking the church before Bada's death. He may
have, however, caved in to pressure to take up the challenge. When The Comet
sought his comment yesterday, his wife said he had gone to make a phone call
to Ajose in America.

Senior Evangelist Josiah Kayode Owodunni who is opposed to the leadership of
Pastor S.A. Bada may soon be heading for the court again. He is to challenge
Tuesday's announcement of Superior Evangelist Ajose by the board of Trustees,
as successor to the late Bada.

Speaking to reporters at his Ijeshatedo Parish on the outskirts of Lagos
yesterday, Owodunni said the "supposed board of trustees" had no
constitutional powers to appoint a Pastor.

Owodunni, who clinched a Supreme Court victory last June nullifying Bada's
leadership after 15 years in the saddle on grounds of technical flaws in the
constitution of the CCC, said the verdict which obliterated Bada's tenure
returned the church to the status quo as the church was still awaiting a
successor to the late Pastor Founder S.B.J. Oschoffa.

He said: "Bada was never a Pastor. So, the issue of appointing a successor
to
him does not arise".

He insisted that the late Rev. Pastor Oschoffa appointed him (Owodunni)
successor before his death and "since they refused to obey his wishes, they
would always run into trouble."

Asked if he felt vindicated with the death of the late Bada and whether he
would attend the funeral ceremonies, he was evasive, claiming that though he
felt no joy over the death, death was an ultimate price, which all men must
pay. On attending the funerals, he said: "If the Holy Spirit directs, I
will
obey."

On the proposed amendments to the constitution, he said "there can be no
amendment to the document." He referred to section 184 which states that
the
constitution can only be amended by the Pastor or may ratify the
recommendations of the Pastor-in-council, comprising the Board of Trustees.

Declaring null and void all meetings and pronouncements of the board of
trustees, he cited sections 143, 144, 151-154 of the constitution which
empower only the Pastor to convene the meeting of Trustees as well as give the
final pronouncement on any issue.

With the death of Oschoffa in 1985, all meetings convened and decisions
reached were inconsequential as the Supreme Court declares the Pastorship of
Bada ab-initio as void he said.

A suit challenging the leadership of the Celestial Church of Christ
(CCC) Worldwide assumed a new dimension on Tuesday as a Lagos High
Court, Ikeja, struck out Pastor Alexander Bada's name from the
defendant's list following his death at the weekend in a London
Hospital.

The suit filed against the late pastor by Superior Prophet Benjamin
Dansu Hunkanrin has Pastor Josiah Kayode Owodunni and the Registered
Trustees of CCC as co-defendants.

The late Pastor Bada, the former spiritual leader of the Church whose
name topped the defendant's list, was struck out by Justice Ayotunde
Philips following an application filed before the court by Hunkanrin's
lawyer, Mr. Wakab Shittu, asking it to strike out the late pastor's
name from the suit as he was no longer relevant to the controversial
stool.

"I applied to withdraw the suit against the 1st defendant (Abiodun
Bada) in the light of recent announcement of his death," the lawyer
said.

The judge granted the lawyer's request and consequently struck out the
late pastor's name from the suit.

Hunkanrin, who claimed to have received divine messages from the late
Pastor Bilehou Joseph Oshoffa, the founder of the Church who died in
1985, had challenged the leadership of Pastor Bada, who according to
him, was not competent to lead the Church.

He consequently filed a suit asking the court to restrain Pastor Bada,
Josiah Owodunni and the Registered Trustees of CCC from aspiring to the
leadership of CCC following their recent antecedents.

Besides, Hunkanrin also asked the court to declare that the third
defendant, Registered Trustees of the Church had no right to name any
other person except himself (Hunkanrin) as the authentic pastor and
leader of the Church.

Following developments evolving from Bada's death, the case against
Owodunni and the Registered Trustees of CCC has been adjourned till
October 6 for argument.